Graham MilesTHE life of one of Westbury's best-known sons will be celebrated with a concert marking what would have been his 70th birthday.

Graham Miles died in June 2002, and was such a popular and well-known person that over 500 people turned up for his funeral service at Westbury United Reformed Church.

Now the church to which he dedicated much of his life will be the venue for a musical celebration on February 13.

Mr Miles's sister Jenny Clements is secretary of the church, where his roles included elder, organist and caretaker.

She said: "He was certainly well known and did so much for people in the town. He was blessed with a wonderful baritone voice.

"I think the time is right to do this now. If we had waited any longer it may not have had such an impact.

"He would have been 70 on February 13 so we thought we would celebrate his birthday with a concert.

"The proceeds will go to the church and our chosen charity, which is the Children's Hospice South West."

Mr Miles was a talented musician and his family and friends felt it would be fitting to celebrate his life in this way.

Mrs Clements said: "It's going to be a whole range of music. There will be instrumentals and vocal groups from people that Graham knew."

Born in 1935, Mr Miles was a lifelong Westbury resident who worked for Pinneger and Finch solicitors and was secretary to the town clerk for eight years.

His involvement in the community saw him work with many different groups, such as Westbury's historical and heritage societies.

His knowledge of Westbury was said to be unsurpassed and he had been a key player in planning the town's visitor centre, which opened in December.

Mr Miles devoted much of his time to local children, as a governor at Westbury Infants School and clerk to the governors at the Junior School.

He also helped pupils at Bitham Brook Primary School with their reading and a sundial was erected in his memory at Westbury Infants' School in February 2003.

The funeral service was such a big event that many people had to stand in the aisles and 150 extra orders of service had to be photocopied.

The Rev Jennifer Davies told mourners: "The sheer number of people here this afternoon give testimony to the love and regard so many people had for Graham.

"Patience and care motivated his life. Our church and perhaps even our town will never be quite the same."

An entry in the condolence book read: "He was a man of the town and the town came to say farewell."

The concert starts at 7.30pm and is likely to finish at around 9.30pm or 10pm, after an interval for wine and cheese.

Tickets cost £5 and are available on the door of the church in Warminster Road.